Common Bug Killers Used in Homes Persist for Over a Year (Beyond Pesticides, July 7, 2017) The active ingredients in commonly used bug sprays such as RAID leave significant residues that persist for over a year in the home, according to a study published by Brazilian researchers in the journal Environmental Toxicology and Chemistry. The pesticides tested, synthetic pyrethroids, have been linked to a range of health effects, most notably in children. In the recent study, researchers compared the breakdown time of two synthetic pyrethroids, cypermethrin and beta-cyfluthrin, between laboratory conditions and those in an average home. Under lab conditions, with temperature controlled and without sunlight or ventilation, both active ingredients broke down little within the 112 day test period observed. However, the test house, where insecticides were applied according to indoor label conditions, displayed breakdown times similar to the lab results during the first 112 days. Researchers continued their observation of pyrethroids in the home for up to a year, finding after that period 44% of beta-cyfluthrin and 70% cypermethrin remained in household dust samples from the singular, original application.

Study Reveals Extent of Pesticide Contamination in Medical Marijuana (Beyond Pesticides, November 2, 2016) The results reveal that 84% of samples tested positive for pesticide residues...This data is significant in that it looks specifically at the medical marijuana market and the impact pesticide-contaminated marijuana may have on medical marijuana consumers, who are often individuals suffering from chronic disease or illness. In its analysis, Steep Hill found residue of the chemical myclobutanil, a key ingredient in pesticide Eagle 20, in more than 65 percent of samples tested during a 30-day period. Eagle 20, a fungicide, has not been approved for use on marijuana, and its active ingredient myclobutanil is an endocrine (hormone) disruptor classified as “toxic” by Beyond Pesticides.Myclobutanil is also listed as a reproductive toxicant in the California Environmental Protection Agency Proposition 65.

New evidence of pesticides in Calgary air, soil (Bridget Brown, CTV Calgary, June 10, 2015} An environmental testing facility has found pesticides that are expected to dissipate in a matter of days persisting in Calgary’s soil and air for months after lawn and garden season has ended...In Calgary soil, Paracel found the pesticides 2,4D and Dicamba. Both are used to control weeds by the City of Calgary, golf courses and lawn care companies. The amount of Dicamba exceeded provincially regulated safe levels. In the air, the scientists found 2,4D, as well as Atrazine, which is an herbicide used by farmers. SNAP NOTE: Pesticides don't just disappear after applied as inferred by this article. A part evaporates, another degrades to other chemicals, some of which being more toxic or lasting longer in the environment. They get carried by water, soil particies,rain and wind, circle the earth and concentrate in winter cold areas like mountain ecosystems and the Arctic where they fall with the snow.

Fish from Alaskan Wilderness Contaminated with Banned Pesticides(Beyond Pesticides, April 15, 2014) "Alaskan fish were more likely to have traces of older chemicals, while those in the lower 48 tended to be dominated by newer chemicals. The most commonly detected chemicals are PCBs, endosulfan, sulfate and p,p’-DDE, a breakdown product of DDT. Some of these long-banned chemicals actually exceed the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency’s (EPA) guidelines for human subsistence on fish and wildlife."

Hormone-disrupting chemicals found in water at fracking sites(www.latimes.com, Dec. 16, 2014) Water samples collected at Colorado sites where hydraulic fracturing was used to extract natural gas show the presence of chemicals that have been linked to infertility, birth defects and cancer, scientists reported Monday. These are secret chemicals exempt from Safe Water Drinking Act, a number of which are pesticides or biocides of some kind to preserve the quality of the petrochemicals. Out of 700 potential fracking chemicals tested, 100 are endocrine-disrupting...

Nanosilver Migrates Out of Fabric in Study (Beyond Pesticides, May 3, 2010. Posted in Nanotechnology) This study raises concerns about human exposure to nanosilver through skin absorption. “Silver nanoparticles (or nanosilver) are now widely impregnated into a wide range of consumer products, including textiles such as socks, sportswear, underwear and bedding, vacuums, washing machines, toys, sunscreens, and a host of others.” Current regulations fail to guarantee consumers that these new technologies are safe to use. Silver nanoparticles meet the definition of a pesticide and should and must be regulated by the EPA as a pesticide but is not registered as a pesticide. However EPA has done little to regulate or evaluate the potential health and environmental impacts these particles may cause. NOTE: A PMRA label search (Oct. 2012) shows no silver or silver nanoparticle products registered as pesticides either.

Report Finds Toxic Pesticide Combustion in Grass Seed Production (Beyond Pesticides, March 30, 2009) In Saskatchewan, burning crop stubble is still common practice. In spite of extensive medical evidence of health problems identified by at least one Commission studying the problem in the past, burning is still common place. While the number and frequency of pesticide used may not be as high as it is in grass seed production, I am certain that pesticide residues are attached to the stubble burning smoke. Not only is the smoke an issue in itself, the negative healh effects are worsened when it contains pesticides.

PEI: Pesticide Exposure Island. By Sharon Labchuk. Prevent Cancer Now. Three fungicides -mancozeb, chlorothalonil and metiram - represent 80% of PEI agricultural pesticide use, by weight of active ingredient. All three are classed as carcinogens by various agencies. Everyone lives near a field. Fields are sprayed more than 20 times most summers. Environment Canada found the air laced with pesticides, even in their control area on the end of a wharf away from potato fields. Chlorothalonil, especially, was found everywhere and in very high concentrations.